The Garfield Gardener THE NEWSLETTER OF GA RFIELD PARK MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION February 2019 Next Meeting President’s Letter February 13 (6:30 p.m.) Welcome to 2019! First, thank you all for trusting in me to be your (not-so) fearless Topic: Behind the Scenes leader in 2019! Frankly, it terrifies me to have everyone looking up to me. I like to at Garfield Park lead by example, and taking on the volunteer opportunities at the Indiana World War Speaker: Susan Micks, Memorial has been a huge feat over many years now and continues to evolve. GP Interior Horticulturist I would like to see the Garfield Park Master Gardeners evolve in 2019. Let’s strive to March 13 (6:30 p.m.) be more engaged this year, take on a new responsibility and all be leaders. There Topic: TBD are so many volunteer opportunities out there, and everyone has their own passion— be it a school, a church, a community garden and, of course, our own gardens are Speaker: Irvin Etienne, our pride and joy! When I finished the MG program in December 2007, I thought to Newfields myself, “Oh boy! There are all these Meetings occur the second people looking for opportunities to satis- Wednesday of each month at fy that first year’s requirement to cinch that certification; there will be a lot of 6:30 p.m. at Garfield Park competition.” I have since come to real- unless otherwise noted. ize that there are way more opportuni- Future Meetings: ties than there are people. And, we April 10 made a commitment through the Master May 8 Gardener program to contribute to our communities. June 12 July 10 One of the challenges is that, as we get older, we must become more teacher and August 14 instructor rather than brute strength and endurance. I have evolved over the past September 11 10+ years. My first volunteer experiences were at Holliday Park, and all I wanted to October 9 do was to put my head down and pull weeds. But, that experience exposed me to November 13 the teacher role as well. There were other people there who were also satisfying var- December 11 ious community service requirements, and had less knowledge than me. And, through those experiences, I have also been exposed to people who have way more Purdue University is an equal knowledge than me. We are always learning – it never stops! opportunity / equal access / I wish I knew at 18 that I would be such a plant geek; my career path might have tak- affirmative action en a different route. But, alas, gardening is something that comes to a lot of us as we university. grow older. As a kid, I did have to weed the vegetable garden, especially since I was If you require an going to be eating from it. Elementary school science classes taught me basic tree accommodation or special identification, and I loved the field work. As a young apartment dweller, I had some flower pots on a patio or balcony, but I did not truly create my own garden, which in- assistance to attend these cluded trees, shrubs and flowers, until the first home purchase. programs due to a disability, please contact Steve Mayer at Already at the War Memorial, we are in discussion with garden centers and growers 317.275.9290. Some about what flowers we want to ensure we get the quantity we need. I saw a need accommodations may require here years ago and, with persistence and time, have developed a great working rela- 2 weeks notice. tionship with the staff. I also have some fantastic people who volunteer with me, and we are continuing to develop our volunteer network. Not everyone is a Master Gar- Newsletter Editor: dener, and everyone has their own reasons for volunteering. Some people help by Oren Cooley providing refreshments for those who are doing the physical work or make donations [email protected] to the landscape fund for things such as tree replacement. Learn more at: Jump out of your comfort zone and make some contacts. Find that volunteer oppor- www.IndyGPMGA.com tunity that makes you smile, and bask in the glow of knowing that you are helping to www.IndyMG.org improve our community. <wink> www.IndyHorticulture.org —Lane Judkins, GPMGA President 2 Garfield Gardener Garfield Park Next GPMGA Meeting: February 13 Conservatory Tours There's always something happening at Garfield Park - whether it's an orchid February 9 (2:30 p.m.) show, Sweets for Your Sweetie on Valentine's Day, Conservatory Crossing Volunteer Needed during the holidays, weddings, farmers market, and much more. Join us Febru- ary 13 to find out what goes on behind the scenes at Garfield Park to make its February 23 (2:30 p.m.) events and displays happen. Arlene Bow Oren Cooley Susan Micks, Interior Horti- John Montgomery culturist, and Elizabeth Schleicher, Assistant Con- Anyone interested in becoming a tour servatory Manager and Edu- guide should contact Victoria Metheaux cation Coordinator, are col- at [email protected]. laborating on a presentation that will take us through the At the Conservatory seasons and the programs at It’s springtime at Garfield Park Conserv- the park. Susan will present atory! at the February meeting. Come see the stunning display of tulips Before joining the Garfield and other spring blooms against the Park staff, Susan worked at White River Gardens where her former supervisor, backdrop of the conservatory’s perma- Duane Martin, taught her the importance of editing the landscape. As she told nent tropical collection during the Spring Indianapolis Monthly magazine in 2015, “That may mean pruning a tree to al- Bulb Show March 2-9. Hours are 10:00 low more light to the plants under it, or finally pulling a plant that doesn’t per- a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday; form well in your garden. When I walk through the conservatory, my mind is always thinking, what needs to go so that this 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday. will look better?” Admission is $4 for individuals and $10 for families (2 adults maximum per fami- As part of her conservatory responsibilities, ly). For more information, visit Susan also chooses which insects to release www.garfieldgardensconservatory.org. to keep pests at bay. When not tending to the interior landscape, she assists with keeping Upcoming Hospitality Help the 3½-acre Sunken Gardens in pristine, photo-ready shape. If you wish to help with a future meeting, please contact Jayne Queck at For more information about the programs and [email protected]. If you wish to help events at Garfield Park, go to with the July or December pitch-ins, www.garfieldgardensconservatory.org/copy-of contact Carrie Alumbaugh at car- -programsevents. 2019 GPMGA Officers/Committee Chairs President Program Director Newsletter/Publicity Director Lane Judkins Carrie Alumbaugh Oren Cooley [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Immediate Past President Debra Boyer Conservatory Tour Coordinator Carrie Alumbaugh [email protected] Victoria Metheaux [email protected] [email protected] Hospitality—Snack Coordinator Vice President Jayne Queck Historians Position Not Filled [email protected] Mike Brown [email protected] Secretary Hospitality—Set-up Coordinator Nancy Boettner Bill Bernstein Mike Doran [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Hospitality—Pitch-In Coordinator Mike Logan Cindy Maude Carrie Alumbaugh [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Questions about Plant Sale Reporting Hours Kay Martin-Pence Debbie Schelske [email protected] [email protected] Please contact the officers and chairs of the Garfield Park Master Gardener Association if you have any questions or suggestions . 3 Garfield Gardener Garfield Park Offers Many Amenities Garfield Park Master Gardener Association Garfield Park (consisting of approximately 128 acres) is an integral component of the Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System designed by George Kessler. in association with Much of the park is rolling fields, due in part to its location at the confluence of Pleasant Run and Bean Creeks. Pleasant Run enters the park from the north and flows southwest before exiting on the west. Bean Creek enters from the south near Shelby Street and flows northwest until joining Pleasant Run. Seven bridges span the streams within the park. The oldest of these bridges are made of limestone. A dam located where the two creeks meet at one time created a pond that was used for ice skating during the winter. That dam has since been removed, but remnants of it can still be seen near the Pagoda Drive bridge. Garfield Park today offers the following amenities to the public: Conservatory and Sunken Gardens: The Conservatory is approximately 10,000 sq. ft. and is constructed of welded-aluminum and glass. (The original structure was the first of its kind in the United States.) Opened in 1916, the Conservatory today features tropical plants, including a large collection of orchids, bromeliads and other Purdue Extension - Marion County beautiful specimens. The Sunken Gardens (3.5 acres) are European-style formal Discovery Hall, Suite 201 gardens, with three fountains, paved brick walkways and benches adjacent to the Indiana State Fairgrounds Conservatory. (The fountains are 1202 East 38th Street the work of F. W. Darlington.) Sev- Indianapolis, IN 46205 eral renovations have been under- Phone: 317.275.9290 taken since the fountains were in- FAX: 317.275.9309 augurated in 1916, including one in 1998 that was funded by Lilly En- E-mail: [email protected] dowment. In October 2013, a Answerline: 317.275.9292 or $1.23 million makeover saw the [email protected] installation of 61 LED illumination lights and 2,500 water jet nozzles, It is the policy of the Purdue University all under computer control.